Air India has announced it will stop its non-stop services to San Francisco from Bengaluru and Mumbai effective March 1, due to aircraft deployment issues and increased operational costs stemming from ongoing airspace restrictions, according to TOI.
“The airline has adjusted its North America schedule to optimize capacity and address the rising costs associated with current airspace constraints,” an AI spokesperson mentioned in the report.
This announcement has created confusion and concern among travelers, especially those who have already secured tickets for dates beyond February 28.
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An Air India representative informed TOI that this suspension may not be permanent and indicated that the airline intends to reinstate non-stop services from Bengaluru and Mumbai once airspace issues are resolved.
Passengers impacted by the cancellation of the Bengaluru–San Francisco and Mumbai–San Francisco routes will be accommodated on alternate services or offered full refunds.
While direct services from these two cities will be halted, Air India plans to increase its non-stop flights between Delhi and San Francisco, as well as Delhi and Toronto, to a total of 10 flights weekly. The airline anticipates that the enhanced frequency from the national capital will help meet some of the displaced demand.
However, this change is likely to disrupt many travelers, particularly tech professionals and business passengers who depend on non-stop connections to the US West Coast. The Bengaluru–San Francisco route, serviced by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, has been a vital link for India’s technology sector, facilitating commutes between Silicon Valley and the nation’s IT hub.
In response to this news, a user on X expressed, “I have flights booked for my family on the Bengaluru–San Francisco route (with return) in May,” voicing his concern and asking, “What should I do now?”
(Edited by : Gareema Bangad)
First Published: Dec 22, 2025 12:09 PM IST
